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Residential Addition / Remodel Permit in Cortez, Colorado

Required for additions, remodels, and structural alterations to existing residential structures in Cortez, per the Building Permit Application's project-type checklist ('Residential Remodel' / 'Residential Addition'). Normal repairs and non-structural cabinet/window/door replacement that do not alter plumbing or mechanical elements are exempt.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Permit required for residential remodels/additions involving structural alterations or changes to plumbing/mechanical elements
  • 'Normal house repairs and replacement of cabinetry, windows, doors, and other items that do not require structural alterations and does not alter plumbing or mechanical elements' are explicitly EXEMPT, per the Planning & Building FAQ
  • Application must state existing square footage, square footage to be added, and existing square footage to be remodeled
  • Application must indicate whether the structure is listed as historic (triggers separate historic-structure review considerations)
  • Site Plan required (not required specifically for re-roofs, repairs, or siding, per the Building Permit Application)

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction)City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026
$75.00 minimum, scaling per the January 2026 Fee Schedule valuation tiers

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Residential Addition / Remodel Permit permit actually take in Cortez?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation (if new footings)

    Before concrete pour, per 32-inch minimum frost depth

  2. 2

    Rough Framing

    Framing tied into existing structure, complete before cover

  3. 3

    Rough Plumbing / Rough Mechanical

    Trade rough-ins before concealment; electrical rough-in inspected separately by the State of Colorado (DORA)

  4. 4

    Final Inspection

    All City-permitted work complete per approved plans

See the full Cortez inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Cosmetic-only work (cabinets, windows, doors) that doesn't touch structure, plumbing, or mechanical systems is explicitly exempt in Cortez — don't assume every interior update needs a permit.
  • If your remodel touches a historic-listed structure, the Building Permit Application specifically asks you to flag this — budget extra review time even though no numeric SLA is published.

Frequently asked questions

Cortez requires a residential addition / remodel permit for: Permit required for residential remodels/additions involving structural alterations or changes to plumbing/mechanical elements; 'Normal house repairs and replacement of cabinetry, windows, doors, and other items that do not require structural alterations and does not alter plumbing or mechanical elements' are explicitly EXEMPT, per the Planning & Building FAQ; Application must state existing square footage, square footage to be added, and existing square footage to be remodeled; Application must indicate whether the structure is listed as historic (triggers separate historic-structure review considerations); Site Plan required (not required specifically for re-roofs, repairs, or siding, per the Building Permit Application). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Cortez Community & Economic Development Department, Division of Planning & Building at 970-565-3402 before starting work.

In Cortez, the published Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) is: $75.00 minimum, scaling per the January 2026 Fee Schedule valuation tiers. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Cortez does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Cortez Community & Economic Development Department, Division of Planning & Building at 970-565-3402 for current turnaround.

You'll need: City of Cortez Building Permit Application; Site Plan and Construction Drawings. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Cortez requires 4 inspection(s) for a residential addition / remodel permit, in order: Foundation (if new footings), Rough Framing, Rough Plumbing / Rough Mechanical, Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Cortez Community & Economic Development Department, Division of Planning & Building (970-565-3402).

Apply through City of Cortez Community & Economic Development Department, Division of Planning & Building at 123 Roger Smith Avenue, Cortez, CO 81321. Phone: 970-565-3402, email: clindquist@cortezco.gov. Office hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Permit Tech/Deputy City Clerk (Cheryl Lindquist): 970-564-4016. Fire Inspector/Building Inspector (Sean Canada): 970-564-4009. 24-hour inspection scheduling line: 970-564-4071 (checked daily at 8:00 a.m.; inspections performed 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, excluding holidays). Fax: 970-565-8172.. Official information: https://www.cortezco.gov/186/Building-Permits-Applications.

Cortez, Colorado has adopted: 2015 International Building Code (IBC) — City of Cortez Adopted Codes page; 2015 International Residential Code (IRC), EXCEPT Section R313 (Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems), which was not adopted — City of Cortez Adopted Codes page; 2009 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC); 2009 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC); 2009 International Existing Building Code (IEBC); 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — cited as '2009 International Energy Efficiency Code' on the Adopted Codes page; the City's separate Building Codes & Design Standards page states the 2009 IECC is in effect; 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC); 2009 International Fire Code (IFC); 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) — per City of Cortez Building Codes & Design Standards page; NOTE — electrical permits themselves are NOT issued by the City (see localAmendments); this is the code edition the state electrical inspection references for Cortez; ANSI A117.1-2003 Edition, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities; NFPA 211-2000 Edition, Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances; Colorado Manufactured Housing Installations, State Resolution #37; Local Ordinance #851, Series 1997 — Construction Standards for Straw Bale Homes; Full text of IBC/IRC/IFC/IPC/IPMC local amendments is hosted as separate ordinance-amendment documents linked from the City's Building Codes & Design Standards page (https://www.cortezco.gov/184/Building-Codes-and-Design-Standards). Local amendments apply — see the Cortez overview page for the full list.

No. Only 'normal house repairs and replacement of cabinetry, windows, doors, and other items that do not require structural alterations and does not alter plumbing or mechanical elements' are exempt, per the City's Planning & Building FAQ. Structural work or plumbing/mechanical changes require a permit.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Cortez building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Other permits in Cortez

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